AL HB610

Prohibits fraudulent conduct in obtaining public assistance under any state or federally funded program, including false statements, misrepresentation, impersonation, and failure to disclose material facts or changes in circumstances.

Criminalizes misuse of food assistance identification cards, Medicaid cards, and authorization documents; filing false claims for services; and fraudulent billing of public assistance recipients or their families.

Establishes penalties of Class C felony for violations involving $200 or more in aggregate value within any 12 consecutive months, and Class A misdemeanor for violations under $200.

Requires state agencies administering public assistance programs to create fraud-prone case profiles and screen all applications for food assistance, Medicaid, temporary cash assistance, and public housing against these profiles.

Makes repayment of wrongfully obtained benefits not a defense to criminal charges and establishes paid state warrants and electronic benefit transfer transaction histories as prima facie evidence of receipt of public assistance; becomes effective the first day of the third month following passage and approval.